Thursday, June 02, 2005

And it was on this day in 1977 that the writer Raymond Carver quit drinking. . . .He died of lung cancer 11 years later, but he once described those last 11 years of his life as "gravy, pure gravy." (Writer's Almanac)

THE PARTY

Last night, alone, 3000 miles from the oneI love, I turned the radio on to some jazzand made a huge bowl of popcornwith lots of salt on it. Poured butter over it.Turned out the lights and sat in a chairin front of the window with the popcorn anda can of Coke. Forgot everything importantin the world while I ate popcorn and looked outat a heavy sea, and the lights of town.The popcorn runny with butter, covered withsalt. I ate it up until there was nothingleft except a few Old Maids. Thenwashed my hands. Smoked a couple more cigaretteswhile I listened to the beat of the littlemusic that was left. Things had quieted way down,though the sea was still running. Wind gavethe house a last shake when I roseand took three steps, turned, took three more steps, turned.Then I went to bed and slept wonderfully,as always. My God, what a life!But I thought I should explain, leave a note anyhow,about this mess in the living roomand what went on here last night. Just in casemy lights went out, and I keeled over.Yes, there was a party here last night.And the radio's still on. Okay.But if I die today, I die happy--thinkingof my sweetheart, and of that last popcorn.